Royals radio icon Fred White passes away

A day after officially stepping away from the Kansas City Royals organization due to health concerns, Royals radio icon Fred White passed away Wednesday. He was 76.

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By Times Report

The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

By Times Report

Posted May. 15, 2013 at 9:03 PM
Updated May 16, 2013 at 12:33 PM

By Times Report

Posted May. 15, 2013 at 9:03 PM
Updated May 16, 2013 at 12:33 PM

Kansas City, Mo.

It all happened too soon.

A day after officially stepping away from the Kansas City Royals organization due to health concerns, Royals radio icon Fred White passed away Wednesday. He was 76.

The club's official statement:

"The Kansas City Royals are deeply saddened today to announce the passing of Fred White due to complications from melanoma.

"White, who spent 40 seasons in the Royals' organization as an announcer, director of broadcast services and the royals alumni, passed away earlier today in hospice care.

"There are no details at this time regarding funeral arrangements."

White, an Illinois native who attended Eastern Illinois University, was a broadcasting staple in the Midwest highlighted by 25 years in the Royals' radio booth.

A sports anchor at nearby WIBW-TV in Topeka, White was the voice of Kansas State athletics until he joined the Royals in 1973.

When not calling games for the Wildcats or the Royals, the popular announcer was the voice of the Big 8, later the Big 12, television network during basketball season, while also being summoned to work on the national stages of ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and Turner Sports.

After leaving the Royals broadcast booth, Fred kept his hand in the industry by heading up the Royals Radio Network, which has grown to one of the largest in all of baseball.

He also supervised the Royals Alumni, assisting with clinics, appearances and the Royals Fantasy Camp.